Fiona Holloran and Anna White represented the child in a high-profile High Court case involving allegations by the mother of verbal and physical abuse to her from her ex-partner, including when she was pregnant.
Fiona Holloran and Anna White, instructed by AFG Law, recently represented the child in the case of Alcott v Ashworth. Mrs Justice Arbuthnot has taken the unusual step of permitting the publication of the judgment in the case, following a finding of fact hearing naming both the parents and the child.
The application was supported on behalf of the child due to the fact that the names of all parties were already in the public domain. The case has previously attracted a high level of media attention and narratives contrary to the findings of the court were prominently available on social media.
In the circumstances it was felt desirable by the court for the very comprehensive findings to be publicly available.
The case involved allegations of domestic abuse whereupon the court found such allegations to be true and that the father had been repeatedly domestically abusive towards the mother. Such behaviour impacted upon the outcome of ongoing contact arrangements between the father and his son.
The case highlights the importance of detailed analysis of allegations which at times can only be achieved by the Court hearing evidence from parties with detailed cross examination. Thereafter the court is able to accurately determine welfare issues. Without such a factual matrix, the needs of the child cannot be properly safeguarded.
The Judgment from the original hearing before Mrs Justice Arbuthnot in April 2022 can be found here.
There has been extensive press coverage following the recent Judgment and links to the press can be found below:
For further information on Fiona Holloran, Anna White and 18 St John Street’s Family Department and the services we provide please contact Chambers Director James Parks or Family Senior Clerk Camille Scott on email: family@18sjs.com or call: 0161 278 1800.